Home Again (CD)

Michael Kiwanuka

Amoeba Review

British musician Michael Kiwanuka hits all the right spots — he offers acoustic shades in the vein of Nick Drake, a mournful croon reminiscent of Marvin Gaye, with the orchestrated soul of The Temptations — on his debut album, Home Again. At only 24, he sounds light years more mature than many of his pop contemporaries, offering solace in songs about moving on (the title track), struggling with faith (“I’m Getting Ready”) and, what else, love, on the moving “Rest.” Small touches, like the violins and gospel choirs of “Bones,” or the horns and harps surging through “I Won’t Lie,” lift these songs beyond their trappings, and Kiwanuka’s nuanced delivery makes even his most plainspoken lyrics ring true. Given its lush detail and considerate yet heartfelt execution, Home Again feels like aural comfort food.